DOLLARS THAT LAST

A current issue that will affect all Americans is the plan to discontinue the printing of the paper dollar bill and replace it with a coin, even though the majority of people favor currency.

Coin backers in Congress say making a dollar coin would cost about 8 cents, and it would last about 30 years--compared to 3.8 cents for a paper dollar bill that wears out in about 18 months. Sounds convincing, but we should take a long hard look before a bold move is made.

My suggestion is to make the dollar bill last much longer by cladding it with a microfilm layer of durable plastic material. We have a tough plastic film that is used and remains pliable in sub-zero freezers and a plastic film that withstands 500-degree heat.

The microthin film would protect the paper surface of the bill from friction and moisture which causes wear, without adding bulk to the bill. This process could also be used on other higher-denomination bills, not only to have them last longer but possibly to deter counterfeiting.

There is a strong indication that the special-interest groups, casino owners and machine vendors, are lobbying overtime to push the dollar coin. The number of Americans who do not pull the handle on riverboat slot machines or use vending machines are not in favor of being burdened by heavy metal money. Let us not forget the Susan B. Anthony dollar-coin fiasco; millions of them are still uncirculated, stored in a warehouse, and their future is still in limbo.

We must stress a better and longer study of this currency change and gain more input from the American taxpayer. The issue should not be treated as an expensive experiment or a passing fad.